In a specially built vacuum tunnel in Shanxi Province, China, the world's fastest maglev train successfully completed trial operations, with its speed exceeding 1,000 kilometers per hour. If commercial operation can be achieved, future intercity travel time will be significantly reduced. Taking Beijing to Shanghai as an example, currently high-speed rail takes about 5 hours and air travel takes about 2.5 hours; if replaced by the vacuum maglev train, it is expected to take only 1.5 hours.
According to reports from online media Engineerine.com, this experimental train uses high-temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev technology, which allows it to float and run without physical contact, virtually eliminating friction, combined with the near-zero air resistance environment created by the vacuum channel, achieving unprecedented ultra-high-speed movement.
During the test run, the full-scale prototype train successfully accelerated to over 1,000 kilometers per hour and smoothly passed through curves and braking zones. The entire process was not only completely silent but also had no emissions.
This breakthrough is not just about speed; it heralds a fundamental transformation in transportation models. If commercial operation can be realized, future intercity travel time will be significantly shortened.
Taking Beijing to Shanghai as an example, currently high-speed rail takes about 5 hours and air travel takes about 2.5 hours; if replaced by the vacuum maglev train, it is expected to take only 1.5 hours. Long-distance train journeys such as Chengdu to Shenzhen, which currently take more than 12 hours, may also be compressed to within 3 hours.
However, there are still many challenges to achieve true commercial operation. First, the construction and maintenance costs are extremely high, far exceeding current high-speed rail systems, and the government needs to weigh its long-term benefits and strategic values such as national image.
China's maglev train breaks the 1,000 km/h barrier, sparking a revolution in ground transportation. (Illustration: Shutterstock/Da Zhi)
Secondly, this system requires massive energy output to maintain the vacuum environment and high-power electromagnetic systems. How to balance energy efficiency and sustainable development will be crucial.
China already has the largest high-speed rail network in the world and continues to invest in cutting-edge transportation infrastructure. If any country can overcome these technical and cost barriers, China is undoubtedly the most likely to realize this vision of "groundbreaking transportation" first. This breakthrough in maglev technology is not just about speed competition; it could reshape the global transportation landscape and economic map.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7503014277603672617/
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